The former boss of the French rugby team (2016-2017) gives his feelings on the crisis of results and confidence that the Blues of 2024 are going through, hung at home by Italy on Sunday February 25 (13-13, 6 Nations Tournament).
Is Fabien Galthié still the man for the job? The Blues coach, in place since 2019, is currently going through one of the most difficult periods of his mandate.
Since the brutal elimination of the World Cup in France (from the quarter-finals while the Blues were aiming for the world title), the Tricolores experienced a heavy defeat in Marseille against Ireland for their return (38-17) during the 6 Nations Tournament; and if they achieved a narrow success in Scotland (20-16, 2nd day), they experienced new disillusionment, Sunday February 25 in Villeneuve d’Ascq against Italy, snatching a draw that looked like a defeat (13- 13).
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The question of the future in his position as coach is thus beginning to fuel some debates. This Monday, February 26 evening, a rugby personality speaks on the issue. Guy Novès, boss of the Blues between 2016 and 2017 (21 matches, 7 victories, 13 defeats, 1 draw).
“I find it normal that he tries to maintain this unity that he managed to create for X years” advances with the Parisian – Today in France the former manager of Stade Toulousain (1993-2015) who won everything with the “rouge et noir”. “It would be wrong to blame the players, because otherwise it would no longer exist.”
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France-Italy at the 6 Nations Tournament: “We have to question ourselves”, “difficult”, “painful”… The Blues disappointed after the draw result
Before issuing this warning: “If they let go of him, it’s over. So, he had an interest in protecting them. Now, should we believe everything he says in his reactions? We believe what we want at the limit, but I understand his attitude. Now, taking a few bowls, it puts your feet back on the ground a little, but it weakens the entire staff.”
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This Monday 26, Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation, assured that Fabien Galthié was “absolutely not in danger”. The Lotois is also on contract until 2027, the FFR should, in the event of dismissal, compensate him for the remaining three years of the contract. However, the FFR’s accounts are in the red: around 40 million euros in deficit accumulated over the last two years, according to Florian Grill.